Car lighting equipment



April 19, 1932. G. E. HULsE 1,854,935

CAR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT Original Filed NOV. 25. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l :mitm

April 19, 1932.

G. HULSE CAR LIGHTING EQUI PMENT 2 SheeLs-Sheet Original Filed Nov. 25, 1927 y 1. Q. ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 19, 1932 UNITED STATESl PATENT- OFFICE GEORGE E. HULSE, F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB T0 THE SAFETY CAR HEATING & LIGHTING COMPANY, A'CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY CAR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT Application filed November 25, 1927, Serial No. 235,467. Renewed September 10, 1929.

This invention relates to car lighting equipment and more particularly to the mounting of a generator beneath the car to be driven from the car axle.

One ofthe objects of the invention is to provide a generator mounting of the above nature which is practical and efficient. Another object is to provide a construct-ion of the above nature in which unnecessary wear and tear on the generator and other parts are prevented. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature having means for dependably restraining sudden movements of the generator and preventing the consequent shock and strain upon the driving equipment and other parts. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is strong and rugged. Another object is toy provide a construction of the above nature which is inexpensive to build and convenient to assemble and adjust to meet varying requirements of practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention. l

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a generator mounting beneath a railway car;

Figure 2 is an end View;

Figure 3 is a section taken as indicated by the line 3--3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing a construction at one end of the generator` supporting shaft;

v Figure 5 is an end view of the parts show in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a shock absorber mechanism which is associated with an end of the generator supporting shaft, and

Figure 7 is a section taken as indicated by the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Y

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and lirst to Figure 1, 1() represents the center sill of the body of a railway car. Secured to this center sill 10 and extending therefrom transversely of the car and toward a side sill are a pair of supporting bars or straps 11 and 12. Supported upon the straps 11 and 12 is a plate member 13 having a central opening 14 across which extends a shaft 15. The shaft 15 is supported by the plate 13 in two bearings 16 and 17, one at either side of the central opening 14 which is bridged by the shaft.

Suspended from the shaft 15 is a generator 18. The generator has an upwardly extending lug 19 (Figures 2 and 3) which extends into the opening 14 of the plate 13 and through which the supporting shaft 15 passes. The lug 19 is rigidly clamped to the supporting shaft 15 vby means of suitable clamping bolts 20 (Figure l) and the generator is thus suspended from the shaft 15 to swing about the axis of the shaft, the shaft turning in its bearings 16 and 17. The generator is thus supported beneath the car to swing toward and away from the car axle about an axis extending transversely of the car. In order to permit convenient adjustment of the generator axis into parallelism with the car axle, the plate member 13 is adjustable angularly in position upon the supporting straps 11 and 12. The plate member 13 is clamped to the supporting straps 11 and 12 by means of bolts such as 21, 22, 23 and 24, the bolts 22, 23 and 24 passing through arcuate slots in the plate which are generated about the bolt 21 as a center. ing bolts, the plate member 13 may be swung about the bolt 21 as an axis to angularly adjust the position of the plate 13 and hence to adjust` the position of the generator axis into parallelism with the car axle. The adjusting movements of the plate member 13 are eifected by means of set screws 26 and 27 which also vlock the plate member in position after adjustment.

The generator 18 is thus mounted beneath Thus, by loosening the clamp-` the car in position to be driven by a belt from an axle of the car. In Figure 2 there is shown a driving belt 28 which passes over a pulley on the car axle and over the pulley 29 of the generator. The pull of the belt 28 tends to swing the generator about the anis of the shaft 15 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 or in a direction toward the car axle. This movement of the generator is opposed by the action of a spring 30 which acts between a bracket 31 projecting from the generator casing and a bracket 32 projecting from the supporting plate 13. The spring 30 in combination with the weight of the generator thus maintains a constant tension in the driving belt 28 and will yield, permitting the generator to swing toward the car axle, when the belt tension exceeds this predetermined value; also, when the belt tension tends to decrease the spring 30 swings the generator in the opposite direction. There is thus, in normal operation of the apparatus, a practically continuous oscillation of the generator and oscillating rotative movement of the shaft 15 in its bearings 16 and 17. rlhe generator 18 is ordinarily of very consider-- able weight and hence its inertia is high. When the car is traveling over a rough roadbed there is a tendency for the generator to swing violently, thus puttingr a great strain upon the driving belt 28 when it swings in a direction to increase the belt tension and tending to loosen the belt to such an extent that it will slip when the generator swings in the opposite direction. Also, very severe shocks and strains upon the entire mechanism are occasioned by sudden violent swinging of the generator when the cars are coupled or otherwise stopped or started suddenly.

Referring again to Figure 1, upon an end of the supportingl shaft 15, preferably th end remote from the center sill 10, is a flange 33 having a pair of ears 34 and This flange is shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 5. It is secured to the end of the shaft 15 by means of a bolt 36 which is threaded axially into the end of the shaft and the head 36a of which rests in a recess 33a in the face of the flange 33. The shaft 15 has a squared end 15a which 'enters a squared opening in the plate member or flange 33 and the parts are thus fastened together so that the plate or flange 33 turns with the shaft. ln order to lock the bolt 36 against unthreading tiere is provided a plate 37 having therein an opening shaped to the contour ef the head 36a of the bolt. This plate 37 is recessed into the face of the plate or flange 33 so that it is locked against turning and it thus dependably holds the bolt 36 againstl unthreading.

Referring again to Figure 1, there is secured to the plate or flange 33 a casing or cylinder 38. The cylinder 38 has a pair of ears 39 and 40 which register with the ears 34 and 35 of the flange 33 and, passing through the registering ears are bolts 41 and 42 which rigidly clamp the cylinder 38 in position. Thus, the casing or cylinder 38 is rigidly secured to the generator supporting shaft 15 to turn therewith.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the cylinder or casing 38 is shown more in detail and is seen to comprise a main or body portion 38a and an end cap or shell 38?) which is threaded upon the exterior of the end portion of the part 38a. Threaded into the interior of the end portion of the cylinder member 38a is a partition memberl 43 which has a hub portion 43a. The end wall 385 of the cylinder portion 38a rests against the flange 33 on the generator supporting shaft and clamped against the same by the clamping bolts 41 and 42. Between the wall 385 and the partition member 43 the space is divided up by radially extending vanes forming a plurality of lluid chambers which are filled with a suitable fluid, preferably a suitable oil. As shown in Figure 7, the two radial vanes or partition members 44 and 45 are fixed with respect to the cylinder 38a and thus divide the cylinder space between the part 386 and the part 43 into two fluid chambers. These fluid chambers are in turn divided up by a pair of radial vanes 46 and 47 which are rotatable with respect to the cylinder 38a. The two vanes 46 and 47 are formed upon the end of a member 48 which is rotatably supported in the hub 43a of the partition member 43 and which projects outwardly through the end wall 380 of the cap member 38?).

Referring to Figure 7, in the member 48 which forms the hub of the vanes 46 and 47 are provided suitable passages 49, 50, 51 and 52 which provide for the passage of fluid between the fluid space 53 and the fluid space 54 and between the fluid space and the fluid space 56. These passages are all controlled by a valve 57 (Figure 6) which coacts with a valve seat 58 provided in the member 48. The valve 57 is formed on the inner end of a spindle 59 which passes Outwardly through a central passage in the member 48 and terminates in a suitable handle 60. The spindle 59 is threaded in the member 48 at 61 and thus by turning the handle 60 the valve is adjusted to restrict or enlarge the passage for the How of the fluid between the respective fluid spaces or chambers.

Secured to the outer end of the member 48 is an arm 62. Referring to Figures l and 27 this arm 62 is secured at its end to a bracket 63 which is fastened to the supporting strap 12 as by means of rivets 64.

Considering now the operation of this mechanism, as the generator supporting shaft 15 turns in its bearings, the cylinder Cil 38 including theparts 38a and 3872 and the vanes 44 and 45, turn therewith. The arm 62 holdsl the member 48 and the vanes 46 and 47 against turning and hence stationary with resp-ect to the rotative movement ofthe cylinder. As the vcylinder turns, duc to swinging of the generator and consequent turning of the supporting shaft l5, the fluid is forced through the restricted passages in the mem-- ber 48 and through the valve 57-58 from one chamber to another. Referring to ure 7, when the cylinder turns in a clockwise direction, the chamber 53 and the chamber 56 grow smaller and the chambers 54, and 55 grow larger. The fluid isvforced through its restricted passages from the chamber o3 into the chamber 54 and from the chamber 56 into the chamber 55. The swinging movements of the generator are thus opposed and retarded and therefore violent swinging of the generator in either direction with the consequent strain and shock upon the mech anism is dependably guarded against.

Referring to Figure 6, the space between the partition member 43 and the cap 38?) provides a reservoir for holding anv auxiliary supply ofv the shock absorber fluid. A suitable valve arrangement indicated and 66 is provided for automatically maintaining the iuid supply in the chambers 53, 54, 55 and 56.- These parts need not be described in detail herein since in and of themselves they form no part of the present invention. An opening closed by a cap 67 is provided for the introduction of the fluid into the cylinder. I

Referring to Figures ly and 2, the arm 62 is secured to the bracket 63 preferably by means of a bolt 68 which passes through a slot 69 in the bracket 63. This provides for a suitable adjustment of the mechanism to accord with the normal free position of the generator. It will be seen that the construction provided herein is simple and compact and thoroughly practical. The shock absorber mechanism is so positioned that it is out of the way and yet is very conveniently accessibleV for the purpose of making adjustments. All tendencies for the generator to move violently in either direction are effectively opposed and the generator movements are effectively damped in such manner that a great saving in strain upon the driving and supporting mechanism is accomplished. As many possible embodiments may be made of the above'invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a shaft for pivotally supporting a gen- ,erator beneath the car in position tobe driven from an aXle of the car, and a shock absorber device'connected with said shaft and acting therethrough to restrain the swinging movemeigt of said generator about the axis of said sha t.

2. ln car lighting equipment, in combina-V car forl supporting a generator to be driven Y from an axle of the car, and a hydraulic shock absorber mechanism connected with said shaft and acting therethrough to oppose swinging movement of said generator in either direction about the axis of said shaft.

4. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a shaft for pivotally supporting a generator beneath the car in position to be driven from an axle of the car, a fluid casing mounted upon an end of said shaft, a vane in said casing, a passage for permitting iiow of fluid from one side of said vane to the other, and means for hoiding said .vane stationary with respect to said casing as said casing turns with said shaft.

5. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a shaft for pivotally supporting a generator beneath the car in position` to be driven from an axle of the car, and a shoclr absorber mechanism mounted upon an end portion of said shaft comprising a fluid casing member and a vane member therein and a restricted passage for permitting flow of fiuid from one side of said vane to the` other, one ofV said members being fixed to said shaft to turn therewith and the other of said members being held against turning.

6. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a `shaft for pivotally supporting a generator beneath thecar in position to be driven from an axle of the car, a Iiange secured to an end of said shaft, and a shock absorber device mounted upon said flange and adapted to oppose swinging movement of said generator and said shaft.

7. in car lighting equipment, in combination, a shaft for pivotally supporting a generator beneath the car in position to be driven from an axle ofthe car, a bolt entering said shaft axially at one end, a flange secured to said shaft by said bolt, and a shock absorber device mounted upon said flange and adapted to oppose swinging movement of said generator and said shaft.

8. In car lighting equipment, in combina- `tion a Generator, means for ivotall su J- portino` said generator beneath the car in position to be driven from au axle of the car,

said means including bearing means and a shaft rotatably mounted therein, said shaft having said generator secured thereto so that, as said generator swings, the shaft swings in said bearing means, a plate-like member movable with said generator and said shaft about the axis of the latter, a cylinder for containing fluid secured to said member, a vane in said cylinder, a restricted passage for flow of said iiuid from one side of said vane to the other, and means for holding said vane stationary with respect to said cylinder as said cylinder rotates with said generator about the axis of said shaft.

9. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, a shaft from which said generator is suspended and extending transversely of the car, means rotatably supporting said shaft, a belt for driving said generator from an axle of the car, spring means tending to swing said generator about the axis of said shaft in opposition to the pull of said belt thereon, and a shock absorber device acting upon said shaft to restrain sudden swinging movement of said shaft and said generator.

10. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, a shaft from which said generator is suspended and extending transversely of the car, means rotatably supporting said shaft, a belt for driving said generator from an axle of the car, spring means tending to swing said generator about the axis of said shaft in opposition to the pull of said belt thereon, a casing for fiuid mounted upon an end of said shaft to rotate therewith, means within said casing held against rotation therewith and dividing the interior thereof into a plurality of fiuid chambers, and a restricted passage through which said fluid may fiow from one of said chambers to another as said shaft and said casing rotate.

11. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, a shaft from which said generator is suspended and extending transversely of the car, means rotatably supporting said shaft, a belt for driving said generator from an axle of the car, spring means tending to swing said generator about the axis of said shaft in opposition to the pull of said belt thereon, a fluid cylinder mounted upon said shaft to turn therewith, a vane within said cylinder, a restrict-ed fluid passage leading from one side of said vane to the other, and means connecting said vane to said shaft supporting means to hold said vane stationary relative to said cylinder as said cylinder turns with said shaft.

12. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, a shaft from which said generator is suspended and extending transversely of the car, means rotatably supporting said shaft, a belt for driving said generator from an axle of the car, spring means tending to swing said generator about the axis of said shaft in opposition to the pull of said belt thereon, a flange on the end of said shaft, a fluid cylinder secured to said flange to turn therewith and with said shaft, means within said cylinder held against turning therewith and dividing the interior thereof into a plurality of fluid chambers, and a restricted passage through which said fluid may flow from one of said chambers to another as said shaft and said cylinder turn.

13. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator adapted to be driven from a car axle, a relatively fixed part, means pivotally supporting said generator from said fixed part and adapted to permit said generator to swing toward or away from the car axle, means mounting said supporting means with respect to said fixed part and constructed to permit adjustment of the generator and hence of the shaft thereof about a substantially vertical axis, a cylinder member for fluid and having a rotary member therein dividing the interior of said casing member into a plurality of fluid chambers, said chambers being connected by a restricted passage through which said fluid may fiow from one chamber to another as one of said members is rotated with respect to the other, means causing one of said members to rotate with said generator as the latter swings toward or away from the car axle and to move with said generator as the latter is moved in the course of said adjustment, and means having a connection with the other of said members and said relatively fixed part to hold said other member against rotation, said connection being adjustable to permit said generator with its said member to be adjustably positioned about said substantially vertical axis.

14. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator adapted to be driven from a car axle, a relatively fixed part, means pivotally supporting said generator from said fixed part and adapted to permit said generator to swing toward or away from the car axle, means mounting said supporting means with respect to said fixed part and constructed to permit adjustment of the generator and hence of the shaft thereof about an axis so that its shaft may be substantially alined with said car axle, a shock absorber device having two relatively movable members to restrain sudden swinging movement of said generator, means connecting one of said members to swing with said generator, and means connecting the other of said members to said relatively fixed part to prevent swinging of the other of said members and being adjustable to permit adjustment of said generator about said axis.

15. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, relatively fixed means associated with the car, means for pivotally supporting said generator from said fixed means and in position to be driven from an axle of the car and adapted to permit said generator to swing toward or away from the car Iaxle,

a fluid casing member and a vane member therein and a restricted passage for permitting flow of fluid from one side of said vane to the other, means mounting one of said members to rotate coaxially with the axis of swinging of said generator, and means con nected to said fixed means for holding the other of said members against swinging.

16. In car lighting equipment, in combination, a generator, means for pvotally supporting said generator in position to be driven from an axle of the car and adapted to permit said generator to swing toward or` November, 1927.

GEORGE E. HULSE. 

